News Feature

Blue HillOriginally published in
The Weekly Packet, September 6, 2012
KYC sailors take three of five top spots in Atlantic Nationals

Skippered by Ben Wells (at far right), Questra, hailing from the Kollegewidgwok Yacht Club, took both second place overall in the recent Atlantic Nationals championships and second place in the inaugural Burgess Cup race around Long Island. Also on board, crew Tomas Hornos, left, Charlie Hatfield and Max Soriano.

Photo courtesy of Charlie Hatfield

by
Faith DeAmbrose

After a week’s worth of racing, dinner and dancing the results are in and racers from Blue Hill’s Kollegewidgwok Yacht Club had a respectable showing during the 2012 Atlantic Nationals, taking a number of the top honors.

Despite some periods of flat seas and calm winds that curtailed four days of racing down to just two, participants and the community at large found solace each evening at the John Peters Estate where food and drink were aplenty.

While the top honor went to Niantic Bay Yacht Club (CT) sailor Norm Peck III, Blue Hill boat Questra, skippered by Ben Wells of KYC, along with Charlie Hatfield, Tomas Hornos and Max Soriano took second place overall. To round out the top five racers, third place went to Terry Britton of KYC in Thea, fourth place to Norm Peck Jr. of Niantic Bay Yacht Club in Miss April and fifth place went to Bill Barton of KYC in One 4 All.

The event, which drew participation from 41 boats, made it the “largest Atlantic Nationals in history,” according to a press release. For the Kollegewidgwok Yacht Club this was also the “largest ever” event the club has sponsored, said Commodore Tom Richardson via telephone on Tuesday, September 4.

In addition to the races completed to determine standing, KYC created a new race for the event: The W. Starling Burgess Cup. This race around Long Island was held Thursday, August 23, and named in honor of William Starling Burgess who designed the Atlantic racing boats in 1929. The Burgess Cup was won by Benjamin Cassidy of Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club (NY) with a time of 2:35:20. Second and third place went to KYC sailors Ben Wells in Questra and Bill Barton in One 4 All respectively. Forty boats participated in the race.

The Atlantic is a “classic keel boat designed for club racing and fast sailing,” and it is 30 feet in length, according to information from the Atlantic Class Association.

KYC sailor Terry Britton, left, who took third place overall in Thea, is recognized by KYC Commodore Tom Richardson.

Photo courtesy of Charlie Hatfield

From left, Questra skipper and crew Charlie Hatfield, Ben Wells, Tomas Hornos and Max Soriano. Questra took both second place overall and second place in the inaugural Burgess Cup race around Long Island.

Photo courtesy of Charlie Hatfield

At the start of the 2012 Atlantic Nationals.

Photo courtesy of Charlie Hatfield

Skippered by Ben Wells (at far right), Questra, hailing from the Kollegewidgwok Yacht Club, took both second place overall in the recent Atlantic Nationals championships and second place in the inaugural Burgess Cup race around Long Island. Also on board, crew Tomas Hornos, left, Charlie Hatfield and Max Soriano.